Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 22, 2009 7:00 PM
Vernon’s Citizens On Patrol (COP) group is aiming for 50. As in the number of stolen vehicles they have helped Vernon RCMP recover in 2009. The group of 43 dedicated volunteers has recovered 48 stolen vehicles, topping their mark of 37 recovered in 2008. “With two weeks left in the year, it’s possible they could reach 50,” said Vernon RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk. “To simply say the Citizens On Patrol unit is an asset to our community would be an understatement.” The COP unit is an extra set of eyes and ears for the Vernon RCMP on a volunteer basis. They have helped in discovering break-and-enters to businesses – one such recent discovery led to the finding of a marijuana grow operation – and have assisted with a suicidal individual in a vehicle. “Their actions in that incident probably saved the person’s life,” said Molendyk.
COPs have donated 2,700 hours of volunteer time in 2009, and have driven close to 24,000 kilometres. In the past year, COPs have checked more than 28,000 licence plates in Vernon, Coldstream and the regional districts. Run under the auspices of the Vernon Safe Communities Unit, COPs assist with such events as July 1 fireworks and the Vernon Winter Carnival. Volunteers are always needed for the group. If you are interested, call Ed Howard at the Safe Communities Unit at 250-260-5276.
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